“We can lead in this new era of conflict resolution but we must do it with new tools… There are nations in development that are screaming for this country to lead the world in regard to conflict resolution, to respect human life, to take the lead in fact, in proclaiming that every human is (fully) human”.Lt. General (ret.) Romeo Dallaire

“These behind-the-border issues of democracy, economic equity and sustainable development are the issues that will ultimately decide our future as Canadians. They are the proper subjects of a Canadian foreign policy that answers to our interests, and to our values as citizens of the world”.Maureen O’Neil

“I hope the Group can urge the government, which doesn’t know what its vital interests are, and say: ‘Look, you have an international mission and you always have had, and we are one of the few countries that can pursue this activity of bringing about, where we can, compromise and persuading our great neighbour to act multilaterally’ “.Geoffrey Pearson

Financial Contributions: The conference was made possible by generous grants from the John Holmes Fund administered by the Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development located at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; the International Development Research Centre; and the Simons Foundation.

Since its origins in 1981, the Group of 78 has promoted dialogue about a progressive Canadian foreign policy, based on the principles of sustainable PEACE through common security, JUSTICE in prosperity, equity, inclusion with diversity, and SURVIVAL of our planet in the face of modern human activity.